And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

Last week I planned to write a weekly update post, but it didn’t happen. I had some overwhelming feelings of malaise, so I decided to take a nap. On Monday morning, I found myself on the floor, disoriented and unable to get up off the floor.

Long story short: 24 hours later, after a friend checked on me, EMTs took me to the hospital, and I was admitted. They did a series of tests, poked and prodded, and eventually I was moved from the ER to a room, where I had a diagnosis. A seriously infected gall bladder that would be too risky to remove right now. They put me on a course of antibiotics, did more tests, and when I started to stabilize, they discharged me until they could schedule surgery. I have several upcoming appointments and a slew of bitter pills to swallow…including the one about needing to find a new place. Meanwhile, I’m staying with my daughter temporarily. She is an excellent cook and well-organized with the meds. She has set up reminders on my phone.

I hadn’t finished a book at all last week, but when I came home, I posted on Amazon my NetGalley review of Sunset Beach. Today I read and reviewed Dreams of Falling.

My diet is restricted, of course, but I was allowed a smidgen of coffee this morning. Sigh.

What a convoluted journey! Tomorrow we’re heading to my condo with lists, to decide what I can take to the new place and what has to be sold. The weird thing: I have no feeling about that process, except I wanted to be the one to decide. My daughter would have taken over…but then I found my voice. No. I want to decide these things.

I’m learning to ambulate with a walker, but that wasn’t bad…until my knee developed an infection, swelling up to twice its size, making it almost impossible to learn the process. But after icing the knee, taking some pain medication, and patience…I was “on the road again.”

Now I’m trying to resume some of my routines.

NEXT WEEK? I plan to clear out the fridge at the old place and collect the mail. And find the light at the end of the tunnel.

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75 thoughts on “WEEKLY UPDATES: A CONVOLUTED JOURNEY…”

Oh Laurel Rain my heart goes out to you. A big ouch for sure in so many ways. Just as well you had a friend who checked up on you. So happy to hear you found your voice. That is so important – its your life and you can make the choices that are best for you. Sending a big hug.

Oh I’m so sorry to hear that! I noticed you missing from the Sunday Post and wondered if all was okay… such a huge life change. All my best wishes for as smooth and painless a transition as possible, with whatever you end up doing. You must be going through so many emotions right now. I’m glad you’re okay, though- that’s maybe the most important thing?

What an awful time you’ve had! I hope things look up for you soon and you can draw on the strength of friends (including your virtual ones in the blogging community) and family to get through it. I’m sure you will 😀

Laurel, I missed you! Seriously, I went looking for your posts! I’m so sorry for the reason for your absence but how wonderful that your friend checked on you. Did you find a new place already? I’m glad you can be the one to choose what you take. Sending you thoughts of strength and healing as you continue to move forward.

Thanks, Mary, the place we looked at a few weeks ago had an availability, so we’ll be checking it out again. I didn’t think I was ready, but there are different levels. And I was stunned by how everything can change in a day!

I’m looking forward to no cooking and cleaning, although we can cook in our kitchens.

I’m so sorry to hear this! I’ve been awol myself lately so currently playing catch up.

My friend at work had gallbladder issues last year so I understand how restrictive the diet is while waiting on surgery to remove it. I wish you lots of luck, hopefully, the surgery won’t be too far out and you can finish healing properly.

Sorry to hear you are moving too! You mentioned last year when I was moving how much you didn’t want to have to do that and now here you are… Fingers crossed that goes smoothly too and isn’t more painful than it has to be.

I’m going to have to scroll back through your blog! Somehow I missed the story about having to move and whatever is wrong with your knee/leg and why you have to use a walker!!!!

And now this with the gallbladder??? Man…I really hate it when life throws SO MUCH crap at one person like this. Especially a wonderful person like you.

I’m glad you found your voice and will decide for yourself what to keep. As I’ve been here taking care of MY mother for the past couple years, I noticed how she tends to just sit silently, allowing me to make all the decisions about her life so I encourage her to speak her preference about things but usually all I get is “I don’t care” or “It doesn’t matter.” Sigh…

Oh I’m so sorry. I hope things improve quickly. You are lucky to have a daughter close at hand to help even if you make your own decisions. Happy Mother’s Day! If you need a dessert photo I actually have one this week!

Thanks, Anne, even when we don’t get along, it’s good to have family members that have your back. She just cleared off her desk for me for blogging, and elevated the bed so I can get up and about. Little things make the difference!

We will be going to the old apartment tomorrow to collect things that I will need right away, and I’ll do a walk-through list of what to bring over later. This will be my first move in which I won’t be doing the heavy lifting. Hmm.

Thanks, Yvonne, my daughter set me up at a desk in the guest bedroom where I’m staying; brings delicious meals (and bitter meds) on schedule, just to make me happy! She doesn’t “get” blogging or soaps. I guess that’s selfless behavior. Something to ponder.

That’s very scary Laurel, and I’m glad your friend found you relatively quickly. I’ve been thinking about you, and sending all the healing vibes. Hopefully the transitions you need to make will be smooth, and not too hard on you.

So sorry to hear about what has happened. My thoughts are with you as you are making decisions on what to take while awaiting on surgery. Please take care of yourself and allow your family to help! May you get some reading time in this week.

I’m glad a friend found you and that your daughter can help you recover. My husband had a similar scare earlier this year and is now on a restricted diet. I’m following it to for moral support. Take care! My weekly update

I’m sorry you had such a difficult week… thank God your friend checked on you! Sounds like some changes are ahead and that’s never easy. I’ll be thinking of you this week and hope you are feeling better soon!

It has been a difficult time for you, full of fear and change and worry. Despite all the darkness, the good came through for you, and you are now in a safe place. It will take time, but you will get used to the new place, and it will come to be home for you. You will heal and you will re-make your life, as you have done over and over in the past, and it will be good. You are surrounded by many of us out here who love you and are sending good wishes and thoughts and prayers your way.

Oh, my goodness. I’m so sorry to hear this. I’ll be keeping you up in prayer. Moving isn’t easy when we want to do it; never mind when we are forced to. I hope I respected my in-laws’ wishes as much as possible when cleaning out their house for them. We have a lot of stuff at our place now, but that’s the way it is.

Healing prayers for you, my friend.

Both of your new arrivals look great. I would love The Yankee Widow too. Hope you have a wonderful week.

Thanks, Cheryl, I am slowly realizing that some good can come of these events. While I would have preferred a slower transition, today I did decide on a lovely and very cute studio apartment with a great garden view. It is in a senior complex, and all cooking and cleaning are provided. I’m feeling a little pampered at the thought. LOL.

Laurel, I am so sorry for what you’ve been going through this past week! Good thing you had a friend look up on you and family to take care of you. I hope things improve quickly, I’ll keep you in my thoughts ❤

I’m sorry to hear that you are having health issues. I had my gall bladder removed some years ago when the doctors couldn’t decide if it was acting up or my Crohn’s Disease was the culprit. I hope you get settled in your new place soon so that you can get back to a more normal life. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

So sorry to hear these issues, Laurel-Rain. I can remember having to diet before gall-bladder surgery. I hope you get stable quickly so you can get the surgery.
I hope you can continue to make the decisions needed for your move. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

Oh my goodness, how scary! Wishing you speedy recovery. And, yes, persistence. One of the best books about writing I ever read was by Richard Laymon. His rallying cry for writers was “Persist and prevail!” but I think it’s a pretty good touchstone for just about anyone.

Oh no I’m so sorry Laurel!! I had noticed you missing from the interwebs and wondered if all was ok. It sounds like you have a great support system to help you out and I hope you continue to mend and heal up quickly. And it sounds like more changes are coming down the pipe as well. Hang in there, all will be well soon.

Thanks, Cleo, I was not prepared for these events, but as I am taking them a day at a time, I realize that good things can eventually come from them. Every day is now like a gift, with physical therapists and nurses helping and a new little apartment with a garden view (by June 1). So…a new place to read.

Oh no Laurel, so sorry to hear. Must have been very scary. I’m glad you are all right … and that you are getting stronger now. Will the new apartment be easier for you? I wish you the best and I’m glad your daughter is taking good care of you.